Interview with Mare Rosenbaum

Author of The Art of Dreaming Small

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

Originally from New York, and I currently reside in Philadelphia.

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

It’s a long story! I moved 24 times, sometimes nearby or within driving distance, but I’ve lived in 10 states and out of the country. I did 5 corporate moves which is what led me into coaching. After learning what I did about feeling ignored by my husband’s employer, then being seen and engaged by his employer; after learning how to transition from career expats, I wanted to pay it forward so I started a company to guide and support executives and their partners who were trying to decide on a move, then trying to transition. I was actually coaching them but didn’t realize it.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

An extraordinary coincidence: I had two coaching clients come to me from different parts of the country, different life stages and at the same time each asked me to help them create their bucket list. When I was trying to figure out exactly how to help them I started experimenting with my method on myself and my partner and writing everything down so that I could repeat it for them. When I realized how well the method worked and started experiencing the result, the book practically wrote itself.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

Even though The Art of Dreaming Small is non-fiction and gives a ‘how-to’ I’ve written with plot, voice, pace and paying attention to how the reader is pulled through like a story. That way, even if the reader never uses it to create their own bucket list, it’s an enjoyable read.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

People who feel stuck on the hamster wheel of life; who feel that they have to wait to the end of their life or some distant miracle happens (e.g., when I win the lottery) before they experience something extraordinary. It’s for people who’ve lost connection to pleasure, satisfaction, and meaning; who have gotten swallowed up by working and doing so much that they’ve forgotten to ask themselves what they want. It’s for people who feel enjoyment is for the lucky few who can afford it.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

That this method works! And, that writing is not an effort for me (well some of it is, such as keeping to my schedule) but mostly that writing is so enjoyable. It’s an opportunity to share my views, expertise, and experiences with others. It feels like connection to me.

If you could, what advice would you give to your past self before embarking on this journey?

Don’t put any faith or value in your publisher’s ability or willingness to promote your book. It cost me thousands of dollars unnecessarily. It’s not a lottery. They sell you on the hope that YOUR book with be ‘discovered’ and take off. Don’t buy it. I ended up spending extra to design my own cover because what the publisher designed was awful. Now that was worth it because I’m proud of my cover design, because in essence I did it myself.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

Everyone.

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

Dealing with inept people at my publishing company. They delayed, promised, miscommunicated, made excuses, and when all was said and done I couldn’t get a bookstore to commit to a book-signing event because what the publisher promised didn’t happen. It wasn’t as available as they said it would be.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

Writing.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

Marketing. I always fall for believing that if I throw a few thousand dollars at it–if they are charging me this much it must be worth it. It’s not.

When do you think you will write your next book?

When I need it as a marketing opportunity for speaking (then I’ll self-publish as cheaply as possible). Or, when I have compelling work, I’ll shop it to publishers who will take on some of the burden of marketing.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

I suppose that Balboa Press is a hybrid publisher but I don’t know for sure.